Ahoua Touré, 28, was integrated into the French Culinary Academy, a prestigious institution. This young woman, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and business administration, intends to take advantage of her retraining in pastry making to (re)recognize the flavors of the Ivorian region. Encounter.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
It was around ten days ago that a young Ivorian pastry chef was integrated into the French Culinary Academy. This is Ahoua Touré, who is at the head of Maison Mandjou, a fine biscuit factory, created three years ago in Abidjan. This young person is now part of this French institution and intends to make the values of her region known.
In his workshop, in the Angré district, in Cocody, Ahoua Touré cuts a long sheet of coffee-based biscuits. She then stamps them one by one, with an “M” shaped mold, like Mandjou. Hibiscus, ginger, monkey bread: Ahoua Touré highlights local flavors and products. “ I mainly use local rice flour and local raw materialsshe describes. Here, you have local coffee, which comes precisely from Bonoua, and I only work with local providers who are mainly women, who work with types of cooperatives inside the country “.
Luxury caterer and tea room
Ahoua Touré trained in the United States, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and business administration. Upon her return home, this 28-year-old young woman, a self-taught cook and pastry chef, devoted herself to her passion. She created this biscuit factory, which is also a luxury caterer and a tea room. At the same time, it reconnects with the history of the sub-region, by highlighting an emblematic personality on its boxes: Samory Touré. “ “Mandjou” was the nickname of the illustrious warrior Samory Touré, which was given to him in homage by the people of the Wassoulou empire. For these people, Mandjou symbolized glory, wealth, independence, royalty, divinity, leadership, and above all, humility. »
Joining the Culinary Academy represents, for this young person, a sign of recognition. Ahoua Touré hopes to open doors for other young Ivorian talents.